Rosa Parks act of defiance became an important symbol of the modern Civil Rights Movement. Mrs. Parks became an international icon of resistance to racial segregation. Parks never planned her protest, but it was the type of nonviolent act that civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference advocated. She said that she wanted to help people, especially young people, to make useful lives for themselves and to help others. In nineteen eighty-seven, she founded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development to improve the lives of black children.

Rosa Parks 1913-2005: A Rare 1956 Interview With Parks During the Montgomery Bus Boycott

Carter G. Woodson - Founder of ASALH

Throughout the 20th Century, it was presumed that black Individuals had little history above and beyond slavery.  These days, it is apparent that blacks have significantly impacted the development of the political, social, and fiscal structures of the United States.  The majority of credit for the awareness of blacks in history goes to Carter G. Woodson.

Known as the “Father of Black History,” Mr. Carter (1875-1950) was the son of ex-Slaves, so he understood how important and valuable a proper education, so he could make the most of his freedom. It wasn’t until he was 20 years of age, before he began proper schooling. However his dedication to studying earn him a High School Diploma in West Virginia, a Bachelor and Master’s degree from the University of Chicago in just a couple of years.

During the year 1912, Woodson became the second African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University, behind W. E. B. DuBois.  Later using everything he learned throughout his academic career, Dr. Woodson began teaching black students in the District of Columbia’s public school system and at Howard University.

In 1915, Dr. Woodson founded The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).  Dr. Woodson’s and the association aim was to rebut the inaccurate and insulting stereotyping that then passed for knowledge about African Americans such as the canards that black people aren’t as intelligent as other races and are more prone to criminality and dancing.

In 1916, under the leadership of Dr. Woodson the ASALH produced periodical outlets for black scholars like the “Journal of Negro History” as well the “Negro History Bulletin” in 1937.

In 1926, Dr. Woodson took the birthdates of Fredrick Douglass (2/14) and Abraham Lincoln (2/12) and initiated the celebration of “Negro History Week”.  It is said that he chose these two great Americans, because they played an important role in shaping black history. It wasn’t until 1976, that this Celebration was extended to include the full month of February, now known as “Black History Month”.

The celebration provides an opportunity for all Americans to reflect upon the many contributions of the millions of African Americans. ASALH views the promotion of Black History Month as one of the most important components of advancing Dr. Woodson’s legacy.

To learn more about “Black History Month”, Dr. Carter G. Woodson and The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), visit http://www.asalh.org/